I just noticed the Ava I’m working on has developed cracks in her varnish across her nose. It’s genesis matte varnish, and must have cracked when I put her eyes in. Is there any way to fix this?
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This has happened to me before. I don’t use GHSP varnish. I only use air dry. I had to strip the baby. It made me so mad. I loved how she looked. It might possibly be that the varnish needed time to cure before putting in the eyes? Not sure. Just a thought.
Perhaps there is an alternative?
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How thick was your varnish? How many times did you bake it and for how long and temp?
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I baked three times at 265 for 8 minutes each time. I thought it was rather thin. I always mix varnish with thinning medium.
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I’ve had this happen before also, once. I pitched the head because I tried to strip it but my hands couldn’t take it. It was a cheap kit. I hope someone can help.
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Seems like I have saw where someone said to sand lightly and reapply very thinly but I’m not a 
sure on that. I have had that happen also!
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Did you insert her eyes from the front?
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No. I inserted them from the back.
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Was the head warm when you inserted or cold?
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Cold. I suppose that was the problem. 
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Yes I bet that’s what it was because it sounds like you baked the varnish properly. Now how to fix it? Sanding lightly as Londa suggested?
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I know a lot of people mix the Genesis matte varnish with thinning medium or thinner, but every time I have done that I have had issues with the varnish not setting correctly or remaining chalky no matter how many bakes. My theory is that adding other media into the matte varnish weakens its bonds. Since I stopped mixing my matte with other media I have not had any more issues. Just something to consider.
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That is a sad thing, she was so beautiful – what I can see from the picture. I am not envying you at all at this moment.
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I wiped down the area with thinner and then put a layer of thinning medium over it and baked. It’s not completely gone yet, but much better. It’s even harder to see in person.
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Did you use powders?
I used genesis paints.
Oh okay. I was asking because I know sometimes putting varnish directly over powders can sometimes lead to cracking there has to be air dry sealant used in between.
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What kind of sealant in between the powder layers?
So I lightly sanded my mine where the varnish was white. It worked pretty well then I did the soft touch over it. BUT it wasn’t on the face…
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I use RebornFX Spray Sealant for powders and pastels